The "Immortal Palace on the Cloud Peak" became the most dazzling new star in the Royal City's night scene within just half a month.
Every night, the entrance was bustling with activity. The carriages of the new nobility were lined up in a long queue, and even some old nobles who couldn't resist the temptation, after much inner struggle, disguised themselves and snuck in for a visit. The female angels who had once faced despair, having undergone Chu Mo's training, were now dressed in form-fitting Qipaos. They gracefully shuttled among the guests with professional smiles, earning a living through their own skills and maintaining their dignity.
Chu Mo stood by the window of his third-floor office, looking down at the lively scene in the lobby. On the surface, there was a faint smile, but his gaze remained calm and detached.
"Knock, knock, knock." The door was pushed open, and Su Mari walked in uninvited.
"Lord Su Mari." Chu Mo turned around and bowed slightly, neither humble nor pushy.
Su Mari closed the door, his gaze complex as he looked at Chu Mo. After a long silence, he slowly spoke, "Chu Mo, do you know how many people are jealous of you now?"
Chu Mo smiled slightly, "I know. Their eyes when they look at me are like wolves eyeing their prey."
"Aren't you afraid?" Su Mari walked to the window and stood side by side with him, also looking down at the guests below, "This place of yours has taken nearly 30% of the leisure consumption in the Royal City. Many nobles' private industries are being hit hard. They have already started to join forces, preparing to submit a joint petition to His Majesty, accusing you of 'using seductive arts to confuse the nobility and corrupting the Royal City's atmosphere.'"
Chu Mo wasn't surprised. He had anticipated this day. "And what does Lord Su Mari think?"
Su Mari glanced at him sideways, "I think? I think you're a very interesting person. His Majesty has enjoyed quite a few 'new tricks' you've come up with recently. Last time, you even used that thing called 'electricity' to power the 'singing and dancing Shengping' device—His Majesty was very pleased." He paused, "But interesting people tend to die young."
The air suddenly turned cold.
Chu Mo remained calm, slowly replying, "Lord Su Mari is right. Interesting people do die young. But useful people usually live a long time."
Su Mari stared at him, as if trying to see through his true thoughts. After a moment, he suddenly laughed, "You're right. His Majesty thinks you're useful, so you'll live. But..." he lowered his voice, "you have to be careful. Those old nobles won't just sit idly by and wait for death. Their methods are much dirtier than you imagine."
"Thank you for the warning, Lord Su Mari." Chu Mo bowed in gratitude.
"I'm not warning you." Su Mari waved his hand, turning to leave. He paused at the door, "I'm just curious to see how far you, this 'interesting person,' can go."
After Su Mari left, Chu Mo's expression gradually turned serious.
He knew that although the "Immortal Palace" gave him a foothold, it also put him in the crosshairs. The old nobility, the jealous new nobility, and even the bureaucrats within the Research Institute who were unhappy about their authority being taken away—all of them could become forces threatening his life at any moment.
He needed more chips. And more... dogs.
---
Three days later, Hua Ye held a small banquet in the palace. Those invited were all his most trusted confidants. Chu Mo was, naturally, among them.
The banquet was held in Hua Ye's private garden. In the center of the garden, several female angels in revealing clothes were performing a flying dance. Their snow-white wings unfolded, their bodies intertwining in the air, drawing graceful arcs. However, Chu Mo noticed that the looks in these female angels' eyes were hollow and lifeless, like puppets.
Hua Ye reclined on the main seat, holding a wine glass, watching with great interest. When a dance ended, he waved his hand, and a few female angels landed, kneeling on the ground.
"Well done." Hua Ye laughed, then pointed at the female angel in the lead, "You, come here."
The female angel's body trembled slightly, but she obediently crawled over on her knees. Hua Ye reached out and touched her wing, his eyes showing satisfaction, "The feathers are quite smooth. Not bad." He looked up at the surrounding nobles, "Which of you wants her?"
The nobles exchanged glances, but no one dared to step forward. Hua Ye's smile remained unchanged, "What? Don't like her?" He stood up, suddenly grabbing the female angel's feathers and yanking them hard.
"Ah—!" The female angel let out a miserable scream, and several feathers were torn out, blood instantly staining her wings.
Hua Ye threw the feathers aside disdainfully, "Forget it, the quality is average." He looked around, and his gaze finally fell on Chu Mo, "Old Chu, the female angels in your 'Immortal Palace' are all quite good-looking. Where did you find them?"
The scene fell silent. All eyes were on Chu Mo.
Chu Mo stepped forward calmly, "Reporting to Your Majesty, most of them were picked up from the streets."
"Picked up?" Hua Ye raised an eyebrow.
"Yes." Chu Mo replied seriously, "Those female angels have lost their jobs, have no source of income, and can only wander the streets, barely surviving. I saw that they were still somewhat useful, so I picked them up, gave them some food, and taught them some skills. Now, they can serve Your Majesty and the nobles with their own abilities—it can be considered putting their remaining heat to good use."
Hua Ye laughed upon hearing this, "Remaining heat? That's a good way to put it." He walked up to Chu Mo, patting his shoulder, "Old Chu, you're different from those pedantic old fellows. You understand how to make the best use of people." He glanced meaningfully at the female angel still bleeding on the ground, "Unlike some, who only know how to waste resources."
The surrounding nobles quickly echoed his sentiments, praising Chu Mo's intelligence and Hua Ye's insight.
Chu Mo maintained a humble smile, but in his heart, a cold wind swept through.
At that moment, a guard hurried in, knelt on one knee, and reported, "Your Majesty, Lord Beili requests an audience outside the hall, saying there are urgent military reports to submit."
Hua Ye's expression changed slightly, "Beili? Let him in."
Soon, a middle-aged man in golden armor strode in. He was tall, with sharp features and a steady, powerful gait. It was Beili, one of the few surviving veterans of the old royal family, now nominally subordinate to Hua Ye, commanding a portion of the Royal City's garrison.
"Your Majesty." Beili knelt on one knee, presenting a jade slip, "A rebellion has broken out on Planet Tyron in the border territory. The rebels have gathered a force of 100,000, claiming to... to restore the old royal family."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire garden fell silent.
Hua Ye's smile slowly faded, his eyes turning icy cold. He took the jade slip, swept it with his divine sense, and suddenly crushed it to pieces.
"Restore the old royal family?" He laughed, but there was no warmth in the laughter, "It seems I've been too merciful, letting those ants forget who truly rules this place."
He looked at Beili, "You lead the troops, go suppress the rebellion. Remember, I want no survivors."
Beili's expression stiffened, "Your Majesty, the garrison in the Royal City only has 50,000 men. If I take them all away, the Royal City's defenses will be..."
"Are you questioning my decision?" Hua Ye interrupted him, his tone dangerous.
Beili quickly lowered his head, "I wouldn't dare."
Hua Ye snorted coldly, then suddenly looked at Chu Mo, "Old Chu, what do you think?"
All eyes focused on Chu Mo once more.
Chu Mo's mind raced. This was clearly a test. Hua Ye wanted to see where he stood. He slowly stepped forward, "Your Majesty, I have a suggestion, though I'm not sure if I should say it."
"Speak."
"Since Lord Beili is worried about the Royal City's defenses, why not have him lead part of the troops to suppress the rebellion, while the remaining troops stay to guard the Royal City. At the same time..." Chu Mo paused, "I've heard that some of the old nobles in the city have private armies. In this time of crisis, couldn't we 'invite' them to contribute their strength, guarding the Royal City together?"
These words were a naked frame-up. Whoever was sent to "guard" would be held hostage; whoever refused to contribute troops would be labeled a rebel.
Hua Ye's eyes lit up, and he laughed heartily, "Excellent! Old Chu, you really are full of tricks!" He turned to Beili, "Did you hear that? Do as he says. If any old noble refuses to send troops, just treat them as accomplices of the rebels and wipe them out!"
A flicker of shock crossed Beili's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it, "As you command, Your Majesty."
After Beili left, Hua Ye was in a great mood and drank several more cups with the nobles. Only when the night grew deep did the banquet finally end.
As Chu Mo was leaving the palace, he was stopped by a guard.
"Lord Chu Mo, Lord Beili invites you to his residence for a talk."
Chu Mo's heart moved, but his face remained calm, "Please lead the way."
---
Beili's residence was deep in the eastern part of the city. It was an old mansion, simple and solemn, completely different from the nouveau riche style of the new nobility.
In the study, Beili had already dismissed all the servants. Only he and Chu Mo were left.
"Lord Chu Mo, please have some tea." Beili sat behind the desk, his gaze sharp as he looked at Chu Mo.
Chu Mo took the tea, took a light sip, and praised, "Good tea."
Beili stared at him for a long time before slowly speaking, "Lord Chu Mo, your suggestion in the garden today was truly brilliant. But do you know what the consequences of this suggestion will be?"
Chu Mo set down the teacup, "Lord Beili, please enlighten me."
"At least three old noble families will be executed for 'colluding with the rebels.' Their family members, whether old or young, will all become prisoners." Beili's tone was heavy, "And their private armies, properties, and territories will all be confiscated by His Majesty. You, Lord Chu Mo, will naturally receive a share of the credit."
Chu Mo was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Lord Beili, are you sympathizing with them?"
Beili's face changed slightly, "I'm just stating the facts."
"Lord Beili." Chu Mo stood up, looking directly into his eyes, "You are a general of the old royal family and now serve the new master. There must be many people in the world who call you a turncoat. But I believe you have your own reasons."
Beili's eyes flickered, but he didn't speak.
Chu Mo continued, "The suggestion I made today wasn't for the sake of framing those old nobles. I just wanted His Majesty to feel that I'm 'useful.' Because only the 'useful' can survive." He paused, "And you, Lord Beili, you must also think of a way to make His Majesty feel that you're useful. Otherwise..." He didn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear.
Beili stared at him for a long time. The tension in the study was almost tangible.
Finally, Beili slowly spoke, "Lord Chu Mo, you are indeed an interesting person." He stood up as well, "I've taken the liberty of inviting you here today mainly because I have something I want to ask you."
"Please speak."
"In your opinion, can this dynasty last long?"
This question was like a thunderclap, exploding in the silent night.
Chu Mo's heart trembled violently. He looked at Beili, seeing the deep meaning in the other's eyes. In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through his mind.
This was a trap? Or an opportunity?
He took a deep breath and gave the most cautious answer, "Lord Beili, such a question is no joke. I am but a small businessman, unworthy of discussing such matters."
Beili stared at him for a long time, then suddenly laughed, "You're right, I was rude." He raised his teacup, signaling for Chu Mo to leave, "Lord Chu Mo, please be careful on your way. The streets aren't safe at night."
Chu Mo understood the hint and immediately took his leave.
When he stepped out of the mansion, the night breeze blew, and he realized his back was already soaked with cold sweat.
Beili... this man, was he testing him? Or did he really have other intentions?
Chu Mo looked up at the starry sky, his thoughts churning.
No matter what, he now had one more thing to be wary of. And maybe... one more thing to use.